Former Steel Engineer Buys Rights To Programs

A former Bethlehem Steel Corp. engineer who helped develop a series of computer programs for rolling steel has purchased the rights to market the programs to other steel companies.

Joseph Poplawski, who owns the private consulting firm of Poplawski & Associates, Bethlehem, says he has signed a licensing agreement to provide consulting services using the programs and to market them to companies that make flat rolled products from steel, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel and other materials.

Poplawski, who says he left Bethlehem Steel about three years ago, notes purchasing the rights was cheaper than developing the process all over again for himself. The programs provide a time-saving and cost-effective way to evaluate rolling practices, establish mill setups and evaluate new equipment and rolling strategies, he says.